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Emerald Dragon chapter 38 -
🕑 Added 2022-10-06 16:08:54 +0000 UTCChapter 38 -
"WHAT?!" Fire Lord Ozai erupted, the flames around him shooting high into the air, stroking against the ceiling briefly before they descended back down. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE DESTROYED HALF OF AN ENTIRE FLEET?!"
"E...e...exactly what I said, my...my lord," The messenger trembled as he kneeled in front of the angry ruler. "That's what the r...reports said, we've received several letters all saying the same thing. The invasion was going well when suddenly a large winged horse made of water had risen up, it was estimated to be a hundred feet tall, they had believed it to be a waterbending trick. Shortly after the...well..."
"Speak!" Barked Ozai, a furious look on his face.
"The Emerald Dragon attacked," The messenger said quickly, he took a moment to gulp before he continued. "He conjured his green flames and they started consuming ship after ship, growing in size until the flames reached all the way up into the sky. The water began pulling the ships towards the fire. Before they could retreat they had lost half of their ships. Many are assuming the water horse to be related to the spirits and was the work of the Avatar.." He added weakly before bowing his head.
"Leave," Ozai said after an incredibly long and tense silence, his voice soft but undeniably filled with anger.
"As you command," The messenger quickly nodded before he stood up and all but ran out of the room, leaving Ozai all alone.
"What is the boy?" Ozai wondered, pressing his fingers into the side of his head in an attempt to reduce the headache that he was feeling. His hand nearly moved to touch his burns but he was able to stop himself at the last moment.
He stood up and walked down from his throne, removing the upper half of his clothes before he took a fighting stance, he let out a low growl before he started to perform several firebending kata's. It was nearly an hour later when he had tired himself out enough to think. After taking several deep breaths he put all of his clothes back on and accended back up to his throne, once he sat on it he began to think of a plan.
*LINE BREAK*
"How's he doing?" Aang asked Katara when he saw her walk out of the healing hut. He and Sokka had been waiting
"According to them, he's fine, just exhausted," She sighed. "Apparently doing what he did was exhausting, go figure."
"Just out of curiosity, are we all sure that we saw him doing the same thing? Because I'm fairly sure that I remember him making a thousand foot tall dragon made out of fire!" Exclaimed Sokka.
"I don't think it was a thousand," Katara tiredly rubbed her eyes. "But yeah, pretty much."
"I really don't know what to think now," Aang admitted. "All I know is that I go into the spirit world and then I came back to find out that Harry wiped out half their ships on his own."
"What did happen with you?" Sokka asked. "You were amazing!"
"Yeah!" Katara said, regaining some enthusiasm and energy. "You turned into a massive water horse!"
"One that looked a lot like that horse friend of Harry's," Sokka couldn't help but point out.
"Um...it was," Aang quietly admitted. "When I went to the spirit world I met him, he agreed to help me out because Harry was his friend. And...and he told me that..."
"Told you what?" Katara asked with a frown.
"He was Death," Aang told them, looking as serious as possible. "Or at least a representation of death."
"You're kidding, right?" Sokka all but begged.
"Nuh-huh," Aang shook his head. "That's what he told me."
"So, you're saying that Harry is somehow friends with and possibly connected to what is basically the spirit of 'Death'?" Katara asked slowly.
"Pretty much, yeah," Aang confirmed. "So, what do we do now?"
*Line break*
"You summoned me, Father?" Princess Azula asked as she knelt down on the floor, staring upwards at the throne where her father sat. She was barely able to make out his shadow-covered figure due to the flames he sat in. She realised very early on that those flames were meant for intimidation, the person below would look up and would barely be able to see the shadowed Fire Lord as he sat in a wall of flames. She did like the idea, though she couldn't help but think it had gotten old, at least from the perspective of someone who had to constantly look at it from below.
"I did," Fire Lord Ozai's soft voice echoed across the room. "I trust that you are aware of what has happened at the North Pole?" He said.
"Yes, Father," She said, nodding her head. "Our forces, under the command of that imbecile, Ryu, attacked the North Pole and were unfortunately defeated thanks to the combined efforts of the Water savages, the Avatar and Harry."
"Yes, the Emerald Dragon has proven to be an even bigger obstacle than I had ever anticipated he could be," Ozai said, growling slightly. "He needs to be dealt with, especially with the Avatar joining him."
"Dealt with, Father?" She asked blandly.
"Captured or killed, at this point, I don't care, I just want him out of the way," Ozai replied. "I want the Avatar and the Dragon gone and I am tasking you with doing it."
"Yes, Fire Lord, as you command," She said obediently, bowing her head as she tried to come to grips with what she had just been told.
"Are you capable of doing this, Azula?" He asked doubtfully. "Do not for a moment think that I am unaware of your feelings for him, are you capable of putting them aside for the sake of the Fire Nation? For the sake of your father?"
"Of course, Father," She said instantly, staring up at him and staring directly in the direction of where his eyes should be. "My loyalty is to the Fire Nation and to you."
"Hmm," Ozai stared down at her, he detected no signs of dishonesty from her and gave her a small nod before he continued talking. "I want you to do whatever it takes to defeat them. Capture the Emerald Dragon or kill him, I don't care which. If you get the chance then do the same with the Avatar."
"Yes, Fire Lord," Azula said, inwardly hiding her slight amusement at the fact that Harry was now placed higher on the list of threats than the Avatar himself. "Father," She said suddenly as an idea formed in her head. "I do have an idea that I think could help our situation."
"And what would that be?" Ozai asked.
"I'd like it if you would bring Zuko back into the family," She answered in a neutral voice.
"What?" Ozai asked, slowly but dangerously. "And why would I do that?" He all but spat out.
"I have several reasons, Father."
"And what are they?" He asked impatiently.
"First of all, when fighting two of the most dangerous people to walk the Earth, I don't think there's such a thing as too much backup," She began. "Secondly, I'm sure that Zuko's firebending abilities have only improved since his banishment. He has been training under the watchful eye of Uncle Iroh, after all."
"Your uncle is a fool," Ozai scowled. "The only person I can think of that's a bigger disappointment than your brother."
"Perhaps, but it's undeniable that he was a great warrior," Azula continued. "His bad choices aside, he is a more than decent warrior born from the royal family. Another reason for my decision is that I believe that Harry will hesitate to attack me and Zuko, his emotions drive him and he wouldn't want to hurt either of us. Zuko and I are a weakness for him, together we should be able to take him down. Not to mention it'll be easier to take down the Avatar as well, imagine how the Fire Nation would react to knowing that the two heirs to the throne had taken down the Avtar and the Emerald Dragon." She added, plastering a smile onto her face.
"You make good points," Ozai conceded, he wasn't at all happy with the idea of welcoming Zuko back, but as Azual said, it was possible that he had improved. And despite his dislike of the Avatar and the Emerald Dragon, he knew that they were both fierce opponents and his daughter would need all the help she can get. "Very well, if Prince Zuko assists you and you end up dealing with them, then I will welcome him back to the Fire Nation. For this task, I give you permission to do whatever you need to do. But I want results, is that understood?"
"Of course," Azula quickly replied. "You can count on me, Fire Lord."
"I trust that I can," He said before leaning forward. "You're my favourite, Azula," He said, slowly and softly, his voice slithering down towards Azula. "You always were, do not disappoint me."
"I won't," She said firmly.
"You are dismissed." He told her.
"As you command," She bowed her head before standing up and turning around, she walked out of the room with well-paced and graceful steps.
She continued walking all the way to her room, ignoring the bows, greetings and attempted ass-kissing of the guards and workers in the palace. Her face did not reveal any of the emotions she was feeling, nor did her body language show any hint of unease. Eventually, she was able to get into her room, she closed the door, placed her back against it and took a nice, long and very deep breath before she slid down to the floor.
She sat there with her back against the door, her mind working in overdrive as she thought about what had just happened.
She had been experiencing a large mix of emotions when she had learnt about Harry destroying all those ships, she knew that the story of what had happened would already be swarming across the nation, travelling from the mouths of everyone to anyone and everyone with working ears. By the end of the week, everyone in all four nations would have heard about it. On the one hand, it was scary, knowing that someone had such power. But on the other hand, for some reason, she couldn't help but smile when she heard it. A shiver would swim down her spine when she thought about it, yet she didn't know why?
But now, now she was given the task of capturing him. And it would be capturing him, because despite what she may tell her father, she was not going to kill him, ever, despite how tempting he would sometimes make it for her.
Her best idea was to get Zuko to help her convince Harry to come back, she didn't see a better option. As dangerous as Harry was, he couldn't outrun an army forever. Eventually, he would get tired and be killed. She hoped that she could convince him to come back, and then she could convince her father to allow her to handle his punishment. It would be hard but she was positive that she could do it.
From there she would just have to make a little display to have the others think that Harry had been harshly punished, once that was done she would keep him at her side at all times. The very thought brought a smile to her face as she thought about how the two would soon be reunited.
*Line break*
"It's been three days," Aang pointed out as he, Katara and Sokka walked to the healing huts with Princess Yue joining them. "I thought he would have woken up by now."
"I'm surprised that he's still alive," Princess Yue shivered. "I am well aware that he's your friend, but with the greatest of respect, he's absolutely terrifying."
"You don't need to tell us," Sokka snorted.
"He's scary," Katara conceded. "but he is pretty nice most of the time,"
"He once threatened to burn me when I nearly sneezed on him," Sokka reminded her.
"I said most of the time," Katara pointed out.
"Either way, I'm just glad that he's on our side," Sokka said.
"Yes," Princess Yue agreed, a small shiver passing through her body as she thought back to the battle. "I'd be horrified knowing that my people would have to face that. If I may ask, how long are you all planning to stay here?"
"Why?" Aang asked. "Do you want us to leave?"
"No," She said quickly, hoping she hadn't offended. "It's just that we'll be holding a funeral for all those that had lost their lives, it'll be in two days from now and I was wondering if you all could attend."
"We'll be there," Sokka told her, gently grabbing her hand.
"Wonderful," She said as they arrived at the healing hut, they were about to enter when one of the healers ran out and stopped upon seeing them.
"Avatar, Princess Yue, he's awake," The healer blurted out. "He woke up a few minutes ago."
The group exchanged looks before rushing into the hut just in time to see Harry who adjusted his clothes while standing up, he let out a small groan as he stretched his arms, shoulders and back. Once he was done he turned around to spot the group standing a short distance away. Harry paused and stared at them for several seconds.
"So, I'm not dead then?" He asked in a bland voice.
Comments
Griffin Quill
Thanks for another great update. I've been following you for a bit over in Fanfic and I really like your writing style. I must say I like Emerald Dragon the best of your current work (still like the other ones, I just prefer this one a bit more) and I'm looking forward to where this goes!
Christian Jeffress
Thanks for another very entertaining chapter. And I have to admit, really looking forward to Henry meeting Azula, and the evolution of their relationship.
